Program Manager

Leidos Inc; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 175,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead a large, technically complex IT program in a major utility environment. The role is based in Newark, New Jersey, with onsite work three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday).

The program oversees seven interdependent projects and 60+ team members, requiring cross-functional leadership across project teams, stakeholders, IT, and external partners. Responsible for schedule, scope, risks, finance, and executive communications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Information Technology, or similar with 12+ years of relevant work experience.
• Experience leading large, multi-project technology programs with interdependent workstreams.
• Demonstrated experience managing large cross-functional teams and outsourced vendors.
• Strong financial acumen with budgeting, forecasting, cost tracking, and reporting.
• Familiarity with PMO/EPMO stage-gate governance processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of seven interdependent projects with 60+ team members.
• Provide oversight to ensure objectives, schedules, budgets, and quality are met.
• Manage program budget, forecasting, cost tracking, and financial reporting.
• Provide leadership across project managers, IT and business teams, and vendors.
• Manage risks, issues, dependencies, decisions, and escalations across the program.
• Deliver clear status updates and executive-level presentations.
• Coordinate schedules, milestones, and objectives across initiatives and operations.
• Serve as escalation point for issues and drive timely resolution.
• Promote delivery governance and ensure artifacts are maintained.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Budget management

Risk management

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/IT or similar

Tools

Microsoft Project

Primavera P6

Smartsheet

Job description

Description

Leidos is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead a large, technically complex IT program supporting energy efficiency and clean energy initiatives within a major utility environment.

This role will oversee seven interdependent projects and more than 60 team members, providing leadership across project teams, business stakeholders, IT organizations, and external partners. The Program Manager is responsible for overall program delivery, including schedule, scope, risks, dependencies, financial management, and executive communication. You will help ensure successful program delivery while adhering to Leidos' Mission, Vision, and Values.

Location: This position is based in Newark, New Jersey, and requires onsite work three days per week, Tuesday through Thursday. Qualified candidates must reside within a reasonable commuting distance and be able to work onsite on these days.

Salary: This position pays a salary in the range of $175,000 to $185,000 annually.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning and execution of a complex IT program consisting of seven interdependent projects and more than 60 team members.
• Provide oversight across projects to ensure program objectives, schedules, scope, budgets, and quality expectations are achieved.
• Manage a large program budget, including forecasting, cost tracking, monthly financial reviews, and financial reporting.
• Provide leadership and oversight across project managers, cross-functional IT and business teams, and vendors to drive alignment and successful execution of program objectives.
• Manage program-level risks, issues, dependencies, decisions, and escalations, minimizing impacts across projects and workstreams.
• Drive stakeholders through the project lifecycle by managing expectations, priorities, deliverables, and timelines.
• Ensure coordination of schedules, milestones, and objectives across business initiatives, IT projects, and ongoing operations.
• Provide clear and concise program status updates, financial reporting, and executive-level presentations to IT and business senior leadership.
• Serve as an escalation point for project issues, facilitating timely decision-making and problem resolution.
• Promote effective delivery practices and maintain consistent governance and quality across project teams.
• Monitor, review, and ensure delivery of key program and project artifacts throughout the lifecycle, including:
  • Project Execution Plans
  • Project Schedules
  • Monthly Cost Forecast Reviews
  • Project Status Reports
  • Test Management Plans
  • Deployment Management Plans
  • Operational Readiness Plans
  • Risk, Issue, Action, Decision, and Dependency Logs

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Information Technology, or similar degree with 12+ years of relevant work experience. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience leading large, multi-project technology programs with multiple interdependent workstreams.
• Demonstrated experience managing large cross-functional teams, including internal resources and outsourced vendors.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing program budgets, forecasting, cost tracking, and financial reporting.
• Experience with IT project and program management methodologies and working within a PMO/EPMO stage-gate governance process.
• Strong understanding of program-level risk, issue, dependency, scope, and change management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present effectively to senior and executive leadership.
• Strong decision-making, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong relationship-building skills across program teams, IT organizations, business stakeholders, and external partners.
• Ability to operate independently, navigate ambiguity, and drive execution in a fast-paced, technically complex environment.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to applicable data protection and organizational guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Utility, energy efficiency, clean energy, or other regulated-industry experience preferred.
• PMP certification.
• Experience with Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Smartsheet, or related project/program management platforms.

This position requires access to information subject to U.S. Department of Energy 10 CFR Part 810 export control requirements. To be eligible for the required access, candidates must meet client's Part 810 requirements, which may include being a U.S. citizen or national, a non-conditional U.S. lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder), a qualifying Protected Individual, or an eligible citizen/national/permanent resident of a Generally Authorized destination. Eligibility and required documentation will be confirmed as part of the onboarding process.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.